Deep well drilling apparatus



Jan. 2, 1940.

W. P. ROGERS DEEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1938 5Sheets-Sheet 1 3/ MZZiam 1 Rogers Jam 1940- w. P. ROGERS DEEP WELLDRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jam. 2, 1940 w.P. ROGERS DEEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1938 5Sheets-Sheet 3 Jam. 2, 194G. w, p RQGERS 2,185,316

DEEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan.2,, 194. w. P. ROGERS DEEP WELL DRILLING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1938 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES ?ATEN FWQEApplication August 13,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a deep well drilling apparatus, and it isprimarily an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of thiskind which is portable whereby it can be transported from one operationto another.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of thiskind which comprises three major units, namely, a power unit, a mastunit, and a bull wheel unit, the same being initially entirely separateone from the other so that the various units if desired can beindependently used or assembled in a manner to provide a completedrilling assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kindconstructed and assembled in a way whereby the power unit and the mastunit are at opposite sides of the well and assembled in a manner toprovide a considerable area immediately adjacent to the well and betweensaid units to allow for freedom of movement for the workmen.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thiskind comprising several separate units, namely, a power unit, a mastunit, and a bull wheel unit and wherein said units are relativelymounted in a complete assembly to allow such coaction between the unitsto maintain the same in balance or against upending or tilting.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in thecombination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved deepwell drilling apparatus whereby certain important advantages areattained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwisemore convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter morefully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitelyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating adeep well drilling apparatus comprising an assembly of separate unitsconstructed and arranged in accordance with an embodiment of myinvention;

Figure 2 is a View in top plan of the assembly as illustrated in Figurel;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 ofFigure 2 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Figure 4 is a detailed vertical sectional view 1938, Serial No. 224,780

taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3 looking in the directionof the arrow;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in horizontal section and partlyin top plan showing the detachable connection between the mast unit andthe power unit as herein disclosed;

Figure 6 isa view in top plan of'the crown block of the mast and anadditional sheave being indicated by broken lines;

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the linel-'i of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 88of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line9-9 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line ill-ll] ofFigure 9;

Figure 11 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 9 but showing the mast ina lowered position;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly inelevation illustrating an embodiment of the invention wherein thedrilling line has interposed therein a traveller block for increasingthe pull of the drilling line.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, my

as the assembly of the power unit may necessitate. This power unit P isof a type now generally in use which includes the walking beam 4 mountedin a conventional manner upon the upstanding Samson post 5. This Samsonpost 5 is supported in a conventional manner at the rear left cornerportion of the base frame of the power unit P. Associated with thisSamson post 5 is a forwardly directed brace t which extends from theupper portion of the Samson post 5 to a point on an adjacent side sill iin advance of the post. Other braces may be employed in connection withthis Samson. post as deemed advisable and necessary. The Samson post 5also has secured to its upper portion a second brace post 6' which isdisposed on a forward and downward incline with its lower or free endportion terminating at a predetermined point spaced outwardly from therear cross member 2.

The power unit P comprises an engine E of any preferred type which is indriven connection in a well known manner with a band wheel assembly T.This band wheel assembly 1 is in driving connection in a well knownmanner with the sand reel 8 for a bailing line 9. 7 As this power unit Pis substantially the same as the power units now generally in use inconnection with deep well drilling it is not believed necessary that thesame be described in any-further detail.

The mast unit M comprises two parallel and suitably spaced side sills orbeams i0 also preferably of an H type and the forward extremities ofthese sills or beams IE are connected by a channel beam ll. As isparticularly illustrated in Figures 5 and 8 this channel beam H issecured to the adjacent or forward end portion of the sills or beams Hiof the mast unit M by the brackets l2.

When the mast unit M is in assembly with the power unit P said mast unitM is laterally offset with respect. to the unit B as illustrated inFigure 5 so that the walking beam 4 will be in proper position withrespect to the well and also with respect to the sheave at the top orcrown of the mast over which the drilling line passes. In this assemblyof the power unit P and the mast unit M the forward cross beam ll buttsor contacts, as is clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 8, with the rearedges of the flanges of the rear beam 2 of the frame of the power unitand the bolts M- for connecting the beam H to a bracket I2 also passthrough and coact with the web portion of the beam 2 to provide adetachable connection between the beams 2 and II.

The rear cross beam 2 of the base frame of the power unit P is alsosecured to brackets l5 suitably secured to the inner faces of the websof the sills or beams I. The bolts It for holding the beam 2 to the silli at the left side of the base frame of the power unit are also directedthrough the beam H to provide a further means for detachably connectingand holding the beam H to the beam 2. It is believed to be obvious thatwhen it is desired to separate the units P and M it is only necessarythat the bolts I4 and It be removed.

At a desired point inwardly of their forward ends the side sills orbeams H) of the mast unit M are connected by a cross beam H and when theunits P and M are in assembled relation the brace member 6 hereinbeforereferred to contacts from above with this cross beam H as particularlyillustrated in Figure 3. The lower end portion of the brace 6 isprovided with a foot l8 whereby it may be detachably connected, as atE9, by a bolt or otherwise as may be desired with the upper flange ofthe beam I! which, as disclosed in the accompanying drawings, is of an Htype. It will, therefore, be noted that in the assembly of the units Pand M the brace member 6 in its connection with the unit M providesfurther reinforcement for the Samson post 5 but this arrangement andconnection of the brace member 8 is of further importance and advantagein the fact that by its connection with the unit M upending of theforward end of the power unit is prevented while, of course, upending ofthe rear end of the mast unit is avoided.

The, rear portions of the beams or sills ID of the mast unit areprovided with the transversely spaced shoes with which are pivotallyconnected, as at 2!, the lower end portions of the legs 22 of the mast.These legs 22 are comprised in a conventional fabrication of a mastexcept that the crown block 23 at the top of the mast comprises twoparallel shafts 24 and 25 herein disclosed as non-rotatable.

Freely mounted for rotation on the shaft 25 is the sheave 26 for thebail line S. The shaft 24 has freely mounted for rotation thereon acrown sheave 27 over which passes in a conventional manner the drillline 28. This drill line 28, as is well known, is operated by the beam 4and leads from the tug wheel 29 of the bull wheel structure to behereinafter referred to.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 9 and 11, the lower rear cornerof each of the legs 22 is rounded, as at 30, so that the mast whendesired may be readily swung downwardly and rearwardly and particularlyto facilitate transportation.

When the mast is raised for use in drilling it is, of course, imperativethat the crown sheave 2'! be positioned substantially directly above theWell 3| so that the depending portion of the line 28 carrying the toolswill be substantially vertical.

To assure the proper positioning of this crown sheave 21, the lower endof each of the legs 22 is disposed on an upward and forward incline, asat 32, and on such degree with respect to the longitudinal axis of thelegs 22 so that when the bottom edges or ends 32 contact with the baseplates 33 of the shoes 20 the mast will be disposed on the requiredforward incline.

The crown sheave 21 is held in desired position upon its shaft 25 by thethrust sleeves 34 held to the shaft 25 by the set screws 35 or the like.

When the load of the tools carried by the line 28 is unusually heavy orsaid tools become stuck within the well requiring greater pull on thepart of the line, a second sheave 36 is mounted for rotation upon theshaft 25 and, as is illustrated in Figure 12, the drill line 3'! leadingfrom the bull wheel extends over the sheave 21 and then down foroperative engagement with a traveller block 38 and then up and over thesecond sheave 36 and then down to and anchored, as at 39, t0 thetraveller block. The traveler block in this assembly has suitablysecured thereto, as at 40, a supplemental tool line H which directlycarries the tools.

The bull wheel unit B comprises the spaced parallel base beams 42 ofdesired length and which, as herein disclosed, are of an H type. Thesebeams 42 at their extremities have the bottom flanges thereof formed toprovide the upwardly curved shoes 43 which facilitate the transportingof the unit B when the same is drawn over a surface with the beams 42serving as runners. These beams 42 are maintained in desired spacedrelation by the suitably positioned cross members 44 and mounteddirectly upon these beams 42 is a conventional bull wheel structure 45from which the line or cable 28 leads as is well known. As the detailedassembly of the bullw'heel structure forms no particular part of thepresent invention and is of a type now generally in use, it is notbelieved that a detailed description thereof is necessary.

This bull wheel unit B is capable of independent use when so desired butwhen in assembly with units P and M to provide a complete well drillingapparatus, this unit B is mounted upon the sills or beams it of the unitM rearwardly of the mast with the beams 42 of the unit B extendingtransversely across the beams or sills 10. When so positioned bolts 46or the like are disposed through-the lower flanges of the beams 42 andthe upper flanges of the beams or sills l0 detachably hold the unit Bupon the sills or beams it of the mast unit M.

The bull wheel unit B includes the conventional upstanding framestructure l? and detachably connected to the upper portion of this framestructureil for coaction with each of thelegs 22 of the mast when raisedis a brace member id. This detachable connection of the frame structuredl' is preferably through the medium of the removable bolts 39. Theupper end portion of this brace member at is detachably connected by thebolts with the associated leg 22 of the mast as is particularlyillustrated in Figure 3. Whenthe mast is raised there is also secured toeach of the legs 22 thereof and in advance of the mast a supporting orbracing member 5:. Each of these brace members 5! is detachably boltedor otherwise connected, as at 52, with a leg 22 at a desired point abovethe pivotal mounting of leg 22 while the lower extremity of each ofthese members 5! is detachably connected by the bolts 53 or the likewith a sill or beam M of the mast unit M. Each of the brace members 51at a predetermined point intermediate its ends is provided with theinwardly directed'brace struts 54 which are detachably connected by thebolts 55 with the adjacent portion of the associated leg 22 of the mast.

The bull wheel structure 45 as herein disclosed comprises, as isbelieved to be apparent from the drawings, the tug wheel 29 at one endthereof and the brake wheel 56 at the opposite end thereof. Asillustrated in Figure 4, it is to be noted that the tug wheel 29 and thebrake wheel 56 of the bull wheel structure 45 are spaced apart adistance so as to have the tug wheel 29 positioned entirely to one sideof the mast and the brake wheel 55 positioned entirely beyond theopposite side of the mast. This is of advantage as the tug Wheel when sopositioned permits the ready removal or application of the rope or linewith respect thereto while the brake wheel 56 is free to assureeffective braking action.

The Samson post 5 and the braces associated therewith support in a wellknown manner, as at 5'6, the upper portion of a conventional headachepost 58. When the units B and M are assembled this headache post 58contacts from above with the cross member or beam IT and is detachablysecured thereto, as at 59, by bolts 01' the like.

When the unit M and unit P are in assembly, it is also of advantage toprovide the brace member Bil detachably connected, as at 6!, by bolts orthe like to the rear portion of a side sill I and also detachablyconnected, as at 62, by bolts or the like to the adjacent outer endportion of the beam ii.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a deepwell drilling apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself tothe precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A well drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a power unitincluding side sills and a cross member connecting the rear extremitiesof said side sills; a mast unit including side sills and a cross memberconnecting the forward extremities of said side sills; means coactingwith the cross members of both of the units for detachably connectingsaid units one to the other, Samson post carried by the rear portion ofthe power unit, a brace member extending from the upper portion of theSamson post and extending beyond the adjacent rear end of the power unitto contact with the mast unit from above, means for detachablyconnecting said brace member to the mast unit, said brace memberproviding means to prevent upending of the forward. end portion of thepower unit and of the rear end portion of the mast unit.

2. A well drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a power unitincluding side sills and a cross member connecting the rear extremitiesof said side sills; a mast unit including side sills and a cross memberconnecting the forward extremities of said side sills; means coactingwith the cross members of both of the units for detachably connectingsaid units one to the other, a Samson post carried by the rear portionof the power unit, a brace member extending from the upper portion ofthe Samson post and extending beyond the adjacent rear end of the powerunit to contact with the mast unit from above, means for detachablyconnecting said brace member to the mast unit, said brace memberproviding means to prevent upending of the forward end portion of thepower unit and of the rear end portion of the mast unit, a headache postoperatively supported by the Samson post and the brace member, saidheadache post being positioned beyond the rear end of the power unit,and means for detachably connecting the headache post to the forwardportion of the mast unit to provide further means to prevent upending ofthe forward end of the power unit and the rear end of the mast unit.

3. A well drilling apparatus comprising, in combination, a power unitincluding a base structure having a rear cross member; a mast unitincluding a base structure having a forward cross member; means fordetachably connecting the cross members of the units with the mast unitlaterally offset with respect to the power unit, a Samson post carriedby the rear portion of the base structure of the power unit at the sidethereof beyond which the mast unit is oifset, a walking beam mountedupon the Samson post, the mast unit being offset with respect to thepower unit a distance to position the walking beam at substantially thetransverse center of the mast unit, a mast carried by the base structureof the mast unit at a point materially inward from the forward end ofsaid mast unit, and means carried by the Samson post for coaction fromabove with the mast unit to prevent upending of the forward end portionof the power unit and of the rear end portion of the mast unit.

WILLIAM P. ROGERS.

